Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

Anni Townend

Leaders in Conversation gives you an intimate glimpse into the real lives of business leaders. This series of candid conversations delves into a deeper side of leadership. Each intimate conversation is hosted by Anni Townend, a leadership partner, executive coach and author who has worked with thousands of business leaders throughout her career and who skilfully connects with her guests to share these inspiring life and leadership stories with you to help build confidence and courage in your own leadership journey. Connect and collaborate with Anni at www.annitownend.com

  1. 12m ago

    Learning to Lead: Life Lessons With Luke Lewandowski | Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

    In this episode of Leaders in Conversation, Anni Townend talks with Luke Lewandowski, Vice President of Global Renewables Research at Wood Mackenzie, about the lessons that have shaped his life and leadership. Luke shares four lessons he has learnt, and is still learning: making kindness your first instinct, a lesson from his mum; being humble, a lesson from his grandmother; sharing your gift, a lesson from his dad and from Bill; and life is short, so enjoy what you do and make an impact, a lesson he is still learning. Luke’s three key encouragements to leaders: Pause before acting or communicating. Ask yourself how it will land.Remember to have fun. Your team follows leaders who enjoy the work, not those who just endure it.People follow people, not strategies. Know your team as individuals. About Luke: Luke brings nearly two decades of experience in renewable energy, spanning sales, market forecasting and research leadership. He joined Wood Mackenzie through its 2017 acquisition of MAKE, where he spent nearly a decade helping build the company’s brand and its presence in the Americas. Since then, he has led research across wind, solar, energy storage and the grid edge, and now serves as global head of operations for Wood Mackenzie’s Power & Renewables group. He is also the company’s global sustainability lead for its Thrive programme, and leads a five-year initiative providing hands-on volunteer work to improve energy access for at-risk communities. Outside work, Luke spent six years coaching middle school girls’ volleyball and basketball. Connect with Luke: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-lewandowski-112a42/ If this conversation has resonated with you, I would love to tell you more about Collaboration Equation, the leadership framework Lucy Kidd and I created together. Built on Curiosity, Care and Courage, it gives leaders and their teams going through change a practical, relational way forward. Get in touch directly at anni@annitownend.com or visit annitownend.com to find out more. Leaders in Conversation is the podcast in which leaders weave together the threads of their life and leadership stories, to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership. Subscribe, review and share. Listen to more conversations at annitownend.com, and to Finding Your Collaborative Edge with Lucy Kidd at collaborationequation.com.

    Learning to Lead: Life Lessons With Luke Lewandowski | Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend
  2. Oct 21

    What Does It Mean To Be Here? With Azziz Hussain | Leaders In Conversation with Anni Townend

    In this episode of Leaders in Conversation, Anni Townend talks with Azziz Hussain, Head of HR Corporate and Technical Operations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, about what it means to be here. Azziz shares why knowing your story, and being able to tell it to others, matters; how origins, background, family and friends shape who we are; his beliefs and what turning 40 meant to him, and in the Qur’an; and the choices we make, and are helped to make, to reach our full potential. Azziz’s three key encouragements to leaders: Leadership needs to be authenticKnow your story and tell your storyBig relationships over transactional ones About Azziz: Azziz has been a Civil Servant for nearly two decades and is currently Head of HR Corporate and Technical Operations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He is a Chartered Fellow and qualified OD&D Practitioner, and has previously led teams at the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the Cabinet Office, HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions. He is a qualified coach and mentor, and was previously co-Chair of the Civil Service Muslim Network. Outside his day job, he is Director and co-founder of a modest wear clothing line, and is currently building a school in Bangladesh. Connect with Azziz: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azizul-hussain-fcipd-fcmgr-1a0b6947/ Instagram: @azzizulhussain If this conversation has resonated with you, I would love to tell you more about Collaboration Equation, the leadership framework Lucy Kidd and I created together. Built on Curiosity, Care and Courage, it gives leaders and their teams going through change a practical, relational way forward. Get in touch directly at anni@annitownend.com or visit annitownend.com to find out more. Leaders in Conversation is the podcast where leaders weave together the threads of their life and leadership stories to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership. Subscribe, review and share. Listen to more conversations at annitownend.com, and to Finding Your Collaborative Edge with Lucy Kidd at collaborationequation.com.

    What Does It Mean To Be Here? With Azziz Hussain | Leaders In Conversation with Anni Townend
  3. Sep 22

    From Purpose to Impact: The Leadership of Giving Back, with Dr Michael Josephson MBE | Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

    In this episode of Leaders in Conversation, I talk with Dr Michael Josephson MBE, charity campaigner, successful businessman and mental health awareness advocate, about turning lived experience into purpose, the power of community and generosity, and inspiring others to act. Michael has raised over £13.5 million for children's charities. In his early twenties he chaired the Childline Ball Committee, growing it from £250,000 a year to over £1 million annually for the NSPCC. In 2015 he founded the Michael Josephson Ball, which now raises over £1.1 million net each year. In our conversation he shares the story behind that work: surviving a suicide attempt in 1998, the care that changed the course of his life, and his commitment to making a difference for children and young people. Please note: this episode includes Michael's account of a suicide attempt and childhood abuse. Do listen with care. If you are struggling, please talk to someone. In the UK, Samaritans are available on 116 123. Michael's three encouragements to leaders: Use your platform with purposeStart with what you can do nowMake generosity practical Connect with Michael LinkedIn: Dr Michael Josephson MBE Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaeljosephson1 Website: www.michaeljosephsonmbe.com If this conversation has resonated with you, I would love to tell you more about Collaboration Equation, the leadership framework Lucy Kidd and I created together. Built on Curiosity, Care and Courage, it gives leaders and their teams going through change a practical, relational way forward. Get in touch directly at anni@annitownend.com or visit annitownend.com to find out more. I also bring leaders together on Walking Partnerships days, time outside to think, reflect and talk honestly with people who understand what it means to lead through change. The next date is 8th October 2026 in East Sussex, you can find the details on my website. About Leaders in Conversation Leaders in Conversation is the podcast in which leaders weave together the threads of their life and leadership stories, the people, experiences and places that have shaped them, to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership. I'm Anni Townend, podcast host, partner to leaders, executive coach to leaders and their teams, and co-founder of Collaboration Equation with Lucy Kidd. Find out more at annitownend.com.

    From Purpose to Impact: The Leadership of Giving Back, with Dr Michael Josephson MBE | Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend
  4. Aug 11

    Why does inclusive leadership demand courage over comfort? - A conversation with Jiten Patel, Director, DiverSync Limited and author of Demystifying Diversity

    ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn our conversation Jiten offers valuable insights into:Why comfort often hides behind good intentions, while culture is shaped by behaviourWhy culture changes quietly, and how leaders often miss the warning signsWhat leaders do when inclusion challenges comfort and demands courage Jiten’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Notice where you stay silent. Silence is data.Hold yourself accountable before holding others accountable.Act with Integrity, ask whether your decisions reflect those you expect others to live by About Jiten PatelJiten Patel is an inclusive leadership coach, DEI strategist and author of Demystifying Diversity. He works with leaders and organisations across global and local organisations, sport, healthcare, education and the third sector to help them understand how culture is shaped through everyday behaviour. His work is informed by lived experience, research and years of working inside organisations where good intentions often fall short. Jiten’s focus is on leadership responsibility, psychological safety and the choices leaders make when inclusion becomes uncomfortable. To connect, follow and find out more about Jiten:Website www.diversync.co.uk Phone: 07875 310824 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiten-patel-diversync/ Books: Demystifying Diversity Thank YouTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to find out more about Collaboration Equation and finding your Collaborative Edge co-founded by Lucy Kidd and I do go to our website www.collaborationequation.com A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing and to George at Podcast Room Brighton for the production of the podcast. To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

    Why does inclusive leadership demand courage over comfort? - A conversation with Jiten Patel, Director, DiverSync Limited and author of Demystifying Diversity
  5. Jul 21

    What can we learn from not fitting in? - A conversation with Neil McLoughlin, Director at Buckswood Overseas Summer School and ADHD Coach

    About this episode:My guest today is Neil McLoughlin, Director at Buckswood Overseas Summer School (BOSS) and ADHD Coach. In our conversation Neil offers valuable insights into:Putting people before process: Neil’s leadership style is people first, leading through relationships, not rules.Bringing energy and honesty together: Neil brings huge enthusiasm, openness and honestyUnderstanding difference: Neil has dyslexia and ADHD which allows him to see the people who learn and work differently. He builds environments in which people can thrive. Neil’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Mind the many, not just the few. Do not let the small number of difficult people drain the energy that belongs to your whole team. The motivated ones notice where your attention goes.You cannot pour from an empty cup. Look after your own energy and enthusiasm first, because it is contagious either way. Flat leaders make flat teams.Lead with curiosity, not judgement. Find out what actually matters to each person before you try to motivate them. You will be wrong less often. About Neil:Neil McLoughlin leads with energy, creativity, and a deep belief in what education can unlock in young people. As Director of Buckswood Overseas Summer School, he runs global education programmes, and while he cares about standards, he cares more about people. He takes people as he finds them and builds trust quickly, creating environments where students feel safe enough to grow and staff feel trusted enough to lead. His background is in drama, and he has ADHD, both of which shape how he leads. Neil is also a qualified ADHD-informed coach, with the aim he brings to everything, helping people thrive as they are, not as they think they should be. To connect, follow and find out more about Neil:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-mcloughlin-77890442/ Website: www.buckswoodsummerschool.com. (Don’t have a personal one yet but will build one for my ADHD Coaching later this year.) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiladhdcoach/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/buckswoodsummerschool Thank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.com A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media and Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing for the wonderful marketing of the podcast. To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

    What can we learn from not fitting in? - A conversation with Neil McLoughlin, Director at Buckswood Overseas Summer School and ADHD Coach
  6. Jun 30

    How to build winning relationships on and off the court - A conversation with Omar Abouseif, Global Associate Sector Manager at Shell & former professional basketball player

    ABOUT THIS EPISODEMy guest today on Leaders in Conversation is Omar Abouseif, a former professional basketball player and now Global Associate Sector Manager at Shell. In our conversation Omar offers valuable insights into:Leading with purpose in business and in lifeKnowing and being yourselfEngaging with and in others to deliver great performanceThe importance of paying attention to the soft skills Omar’s three Key Encouragements to Leaders:1. Invest in people before outcomes, results will follow.Be in the moment, be intentional in every interaction. Small moments build big trust.Lead with genuine care, people will remember how you made them feel. About OmarOmar Abouseif is a seasoned marketer with fourteen years of experience in the biggest multinational in the world (Unilever, Nestle & Shell). Currently, Omar is a Global Associate Sector Manager at Shell, working in global marketing for the commercial road transport sector. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships and turning everyday interactions into impact. Before entering the business world Omar spent 16 years as a professional basketball player, an experience that shaped how he leads, adapt, and perform. Shaped by his experience and basketball and diverse global exposure, Omar focuses on helping people feel better, perform better, and connect more deeply—both in business and in life. To connect, follow and find out more about Omar:LinkedIn: ‏Omar Abouseif‏ - ‏Global Associate Marketing Manager @Shell | xNestlé | xUnilever | xProBasketballPlayer‏ | LinkedIn Thank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to find out more about the work I do with Lucy Kidd go to our website www.collaborationequation.com To find out more about the Future-Engage-Deliver approach to leadership, visit www.futureengagedeliver.com and the book ‘Leadership Plain and Simple’ by Steve Radcliffe. To find out more about the Marketing Leaders Programme, and The Marketing Society do go to their website wwww.themarketingsociety.com A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing. To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com . Please share and subscribe to the podcast, and to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

    How to build winning relationships on and off the court - A conversation with Omar Abouseif, Global Associate Sector Manager at Shell & former professional basketball player
  7. Jun 9

    What Makes Us Truly Human in an AI World?

    ABOUT THIS EPISODEVictoria Rennoldson, is a coach, speaker and author specialising in global leadership, communication and cultural intelligence She is host of the podcast: The Culture Cuppa: Cultural Communication Confidence, and author of ‘Become a Global Leader: Amplify Your Impact, Lead Confidently Communicate Clearly and Connect Across Culture’. She dedicates the book to her father, who died in Spring 2025 and had a huge influence on her, and her values, beliefs, passion and purpose. In our conversation Victoria offers valuable insights into:How we need our human capabilities more than ever in an AI world.How the ability to connect and to have good conversations, and to build trust and relationships is ultimately our human differentiator.That so-called ‘soft skills' is a total misnomer and that there is nothing soft about people skills that impact individuals, teams and organisations.How in a time of divides in and out of work we need Cultural Intelligence more than ever. Victoria’s Three Key Encouragements to LeadersKeep making space for curiosity about people - have conversations, make connections;Cultural intelligence is an action, not what we know. We need to show, act and lead by example - even with people who have very different values, perspectives or behaviours from our own.Yes, AI skills matter and our human skills matter just as much. Adaptability is key. About Victoria:Victoria Rennoldson is a multi-award-winning coach, international speaker and best-selling author helping people lead across borders in a rapidly changing world. As technology accelerates and AI reshapes how we work, Victoria focuses on what makes leaders distinctly human- clarity of communication, confidence, cultural intelligence and the ability to build meaningful connection. She supports ambitious professionals and teams to increase their visibility and impact globally, helping them speak up with confidence and collaborate across cultures. Victoria is the CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa and host of a top-ranked global leadership podcast with over 170 episodes. Her book, Become a Global Leader, became an Amazon bestseller in Career Advancement and Professional Development on launch. To connect, follow and find out more about Victoria:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Website: https://culturecuppa.com/book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culture_cuppa/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppa Podcast: https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/ Book: https://culturecuppa.com/book Thank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.com A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing. To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

    What Makes Us Truly Human in an AI World?

About

Leaders in Conversation gives you an intimate glimpse into the real lives of business leaders. This series of candid conversations delves into a deeper side of leadership. Each intimate conversation is hosted by Anni Townend, a leadership partner, executive coach and author who has worked with thousands of business leaders throughout her career and who skilfully connects with her guests to share these inspiring life and leadership stories with you to help build confidence and courage in your own leadership journey. Connect and collaborate with Anni at www.annitownend.com